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Man convicted in murder of child's mother, woman's boyfriend during custody exchange in Covington

By FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Published  November 1, 2024 9:11pm EDT
Newton County
FOX 5 Atlanta
Marques Smith article

 Marques Smith (Newton County Sheriff's Office)

The Brief

    • Marques Smith was swiftly convicted by a Newton County jury on all charges, including malice murder and aggravated assault, for the 2022 murders of Craig and Desiree Thomas during a child custody exchange.
    • The murder took place in front of the couple's teenage daughter when Smith shot the victims in their car at his residence before fleeing the scene.
    • Evidence at trial included Smith's attempt to obtain a gun prior to the incident and his past conviction of aggravated battery against Desiree.
    • Recorded phone calls revealed Smith's unsettling comments about the trial, showing disregard for the gravity of his actions.
    • Smith is currently detained and awaits a scheduled sentencing hearing.

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. - A Newton County jury has convicted Marques Smith for the murders of Craig and Desiree Thomas in a 2022 incident involving a child custody exchange. After four days of testimony, the jury deliberated for just over 30 minutes before delivering a guilty verdict on all charges.

Smith was found guilty on two counts of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, cruelty to children in the first degree, two counts of cruelty to children in the third degree, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The murders occurred on Sept. 11, 2022, when Desiree and Craig Thomas arrived at Smith’s home on Pebble Lane to exchange custody of children shared by Desiree and Smith. While the victims and their teenage daughter remained in their car, Smith retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot both Craig and Desiree, killing them in front of his daughter. Smith then fled the scene.

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 Desiree Cash (Family photo)

The prosecution presented evidence that Smith had sought to obtain a gun from a family member before the incident. The jury also heard about a history of violence, including Smith’s 2017 conviction for aggravated battery against Desiree in Rockdale County.

During the trial, phone calls made by Smith were introduced as evidence. In those calls, Smith made comments to family members, describing the trial as "fun," expressing a desire to laugh when shown a picture from the 2017 battery case, stating he missed his truck seen in a video shown during the trial, and saying he enjoyed being the "guest of honor" in the proceedings.

Smith remains in custody and will face sentencing at a hearing to be scheduled.